The Royal Court’s Theatre Local project, which last year brought a selection of the theatre’s shows to an empty shop in Elephant and Castle, is to relocate to Peckham this autumn.
A former cricket bat factory, The Bussey Building, will stage productions of debbie tucker green’s new drama truth and reconciliation (29 September to 15 October) and The Westbridge (3 to 19 November), the new play from Young Writers’ Programme graduate Rachel De-lahay.
Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court commented: “The first stage of the Theatre Local project at Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre last year was an exciting experience for us. Our aim was to take Royal Court plays to the heart of a community attracting audiences who may not have otherwise visited our Sloane Square home. We loved being part of the everyday life of the centre, our actors relished performing there and from the fantastic feedback we received from theatregoers, our audiences felt the same.
“We had always hoped to grow and develop the Theatre Local project and the Bussey Building in Peckham feels likes the perfect base from which to continue the venture – a former cricket bat factory with a history of its own and a burgeoning arts and culture scene in another thriving, energetic and diverse part of London.”
This second season of Theatre Local builds on 2010’s offering, with the two productions playing longer runs in Peckham than in Elephant and Castle, and The Westbridge receiving its world premiere at the former factory before moving back to the Royal Court later in the year.
MA